Mono-and bis-η 1 -ketenyl Pt(II) complexes have been synthesized by reacting Zeise's salt or the related dimeric compound, [{PtCl 2 (C 2 H 4 )} 2 ], with the oxocumulenic ylide ketenylidenetriphenylphosphorane, Ph 3 PCdCdO, 1, in suitable ratios. In particular, the η 1 -ketenyl derivative, trans-[PtCl 2 (C 2 H 4 ){η 1 -C(PPh 3 )CO}], 2, has been isolated and characterized. The reaction of 2 with one more equivalent of 1 displaces the coordinated ethylene giving the first stable bis-η 1 -ketenyl derivative, trans-[PtCl 2 {η 1 -C(PPh 3 )CO} 2 ], 6. The X-ray crystal structure of 6 shows a trans centrosymmetric geometry around Pt, with the PCCO moiety and the metal lying in a plane that forms an angle of ∼65°with the Pt(II) coordination plane. Density functional calculations indicate that steric effects play a leading role in determining such an arrangement. Data on the reactivity of 2 and 6 are also reported.